This
mode usually shows no speed increase with our static subject; we have
no way to measure performance with moving subjects.

Manual
focus

0.19
second

For
most cameras, shutter lag is less in manual focus than autofocus,
but usually not as fast as when the camera is "prefocused".

Cycle
time (shot to shot)

Single Shot mode
Large Fine JPEG

0.60 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, buffer clears in ~1 second.*

Single Shot mode
Small Basic JPEG

0.60 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, buffer clears in ~1 second.*

Single Shot mode
RAW

0.57 second

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots, buffer clears in ~2 seconds.*

Early shutter
penalty?

No (Yes with flash)

Some cameras refuse to snap another shot if you release and press the shutter too quickly in Single Shot mode, making "No" the preferred answer. The D40 only "penalizes" an early shutter press if the flash is enabled.

Continuous modeLarge Fine JPEG

0.40 second (2.5 frames per second);12 seconds to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over buffer length or 20 shots, whichever came first; buffer clearing time for 20 shots, since buffer takes far longer than 20 shots to fill.

Continuous mode
Small Basic JPEG

0.60 second (1.67
frames per second);1 second to clear*

Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots.

Continuous mode
RAW

0.40 second (2.5
frames per second) for 3 shots, then slows to 0.59 second per shot;2 seconds to clear*

The Nikon D40's performance is excellent overall. Start-up time is good, and shutter lag at wide angle and telephoto is very good. "Prefocus" times (half-pressing and holding down the shutter button before the final exposure) are quite fast as well, with a shutter delay in that condition of only 0.098 second. Shot-to-shot cycle times are also good at about 0.6 seconds for large/fine JPEGs, and the camera captures frames continuously at this rate. Continuous-mode speed is close to being as stated with noise reduction off, coming it at 2.5 frames per second. With noise reduction on, however, it's quite a bit slower, at about 1.65 frame/second. The flash recycles at about 4.8 seconds after a full-power shot, which is commendable, particularly given the excellent range of the D40's flash. Connected to a computer, download speeds are vert fast as well, so you won't feel a need for a separate card reader. Bottom line, the Nikon D40 is very responsive, good for wiggly kids and most sporting events. Though Continuous mode speed could be a little faster, the camera at least captures frames continuously at that rate, seemingly without any buffer limitation. Great results overall.

Battery and Storage Capacity

BatteryGood battery life with the custom LiIon battery pack.

Operating Mode

Number of Shots

LiIon rechargeable battery

470

The Nikon D40 uses a custom rechargeable LiIon battery pack for power, and comes with a charger. Even though runtime is quite good, I strongly recommend picking up a spare battery pack and keeping it freshly charged and on-hand for extended outings. (Digital camera batteries are firm believers in Murphy's Law, always running out of juice just as the best photo ops of the day are available!)

The table above shows the number of shots the camera is capable
of (on a fully-charged rechargeable battery), based on CIPA battery-life
and/or manufacturer standard test conditions.

StorageThe Nikon D40 accepts SD/MMC cards, though no card is included with the
camera.

Image Capacity with
512MB SD Card

Fine

Normal

Basic

RAW

RAW+JPEG

3,008 x 2,000

Images
File Size

142
3.6 MB

269
1.9 MB

521
983 KB

68
7.5 MB

60
8.5 MB

Approx.
Compression

5:1

10:1

18:1

1.2:1

-

2,256 x 1,496

Images
File Size

244
2.1MB

460
1.1MB

782
655KB

-

-

Approx.
Compression

5:1

9:1

16:1

-

-

1,504 x 1,000

Images
File Size

524
1.4MB

869
981KB

1,300
498KB

-

-

Approx.
Compression

5:1

8:1

12:1

-

-

We strongly recommend buying a large
capacity SD/MMC memory card at least a 512MB card, preferably a 1GB or larger one, to give yourself extra space for extended outings. (Check the shopping link above, cards are really cheap these days, so there's no reason to skimp.)